Part of the design-oriented Morgan Hotel Group, which also owns the Mondrian brand, the 876-room Hudson Hotel strives to be hip and fun as well as affordable. Its common areas -- lobby, restaurants, and lounges -- are spacious and high-design, offering room to party, relax, hold a meeting, and socialize. The stylish rooms, however, are tiny, accessed by barrack-like hallways and lacking amenities such as minibars and coffeemakers. But most guests are more interested in spending time at the dining and nightlife hot spots on site than staying in. More cultural pursuits from Jazz at Lincoln Center to Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Opera are all within walking distance.

The Z is a hip boutique in the up-and-coming neighborhood of Long Island City, Queens. Stylish rooms have dark grey accent walls with funky murals, floor-to-ceiling windows offering sweeping Manhattan views, and tons of fun details. The attractive, industrial-chic lounge is the meeting point for guests day and night, and offers a solid drinks and tapas menu well into the evening. The hotel's location (a short walk from seven subway lines and one stop on the E train from Midtown); outstanding freebies (Wi-Fi, hourly shuttle to and from Manhattan, loaner bikes, and phone calls); and reasonable rates (cheaper than Manhattan hotels) make it a great value. It's a chic option for those who don’t mind staying in a quieter part of the city.

With a world-class gym and spa, plus dozens of customized amenities, the all-suites Dumont is a phenomenal option if you're looking for an urban spa getaway. More than that, it's an excellent high-end choice in general as long as you don't mind being a bit of a hike away from NYC's main tourist haunts.

This 48-room boutique hotel in the middle of the Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood makes up for its slim offering of amenities with delightfully modern rooms, balconies, and free breakfasts. Rooms have contemporary decor in shades of white, blue, and brown, modern technology, and Egyptian cotton linens; glass-walled bathrooms are sleek but small, and lack privacy (they're not separated from the rest of the room). The affordable rates may be the biggest draw -- rooms at this outer borough gem are around half the price as similarly stylish options in Manhattan.

The Condor is a solid mid-range hotel offering more affordable rates than other comparable Brooklyn properties. Rooms are fairly spacious and contemporary -- with flat-screen TVs, balconies and plush beds -- and all feature a kitchenette with a microwave, a mini-fridge and a sink. There’s not much in the way of amenities, but freebies such as continental breakfast and Wi-Fi, and discounted rates for Zipcar rental cars parked next door, add value. Just note that the subway is quite a hike from the hotel through an unattractive area, and that the neighborhood is not within walking distance of the Brooklyn action.

The 124-room Aloft Harlem offers a stylish stay for a good value -- a trademark of its brand. Modern, streamlined design throughout the property merges with playful, music-oriented details that give the spaces character. Rooms feature free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and luxurious Bliss toiletries, as well as cool design features. The hip on-site bar has a billiards table, and the fitness center is large and modern (though shared with apartment residents). Though the Harlem location is some distance from New York City’s main tourist sights, this part of the neighborhood offers many excellent restaurants, galleries, and performance spaces, including the iconic Apollo Theater just one block away.

A one-suite guesthouse in a 19th-century brownstone on one of the most picturesque blocks in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood, A Garden in Chelsea feels like a private pied-à-terre in New York City. In addition to a kitchenette, leafy private garden, and simple but cozy decor, the hotel has two knowledgeable and helpful innkeepers who live upstairs. Popular sights like the High Line, Chelsea Market, Madison Square Park, and the Flatiron are all within walking distance, the subway is less than three blocks away, and the price reasonable for the neighborhood.

The Wyndham Garden Chinatown is a modern mid-range chain hotel in the heart of bustling Chinatown. Though the hotel is a trek from traditional sights in midtown, it's within easy walking distance of trendy bars and restaurants in Chinatown and on the Lower East Side. Its 106 guest rooms are small but contemporary, and some come with outdoor terraces that look out onto the city.

This 112-room affordable property is a block from Radio City Music Hall and close to Times Square. The studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments have been around for more than a few years, just like the people who run the place like clockwork; it attracts repeat guests for a reason. The spacious upper-middle-range units feel homey and most contain modern kitchenettes with coffeemakers and microwaves. There’s free Wi-Fi throughout, and a comfortable lobby for checking e-mail and reading one of the free newspapers. For those who don't mind sacrificing traditional hotel features (there is no restaurant, bar, or fitness center), it's one of the best options for the price in this tourist-centric location.

The 203-room Manhattan Centre Hotel is the slightly older sister property to the Jewel Hotel a few doors down. Like its neighbor, the hotel's biggest draw is its prime Midtown location, across the street from Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall. Rooms tend to be a bit dark, but are but clean and modern, with flat-screen TVs and iPod docks. A small but modern fitness center, free Wi-Fi, and access to the members-only Terrace Club help make this a good value.